Register
at http://camisvr.co.la.ca.us/webven
as a potential supplier. You will be notified, via
e-mail, when a bid/RFP is issued for the particular
commodity(ies)/service(s) for which you have registered.
It is also highly recommended that you access, on
a weekly basis, the County’s listing of bid / contract
opportunities at Purchasing
& Contracting Opportunities to ensure
that you are aware of all potential business opportunities.
Adjust your registration accordingly to include all
commodities/services your firm could possibly provide
to the County.

How
do I promote my business to the County of Los Angeles?

Visit
the “What the County Buys” link, which lists commodities
and services purchased by the County. Register at
http://camisvr.co.la.ca.us/webven
as a potential supplier.

How
do I register as a potential supplier with the County
of Los Angeles?

You
can register at http://camisvr.co.la.ca.us/webven
as a potential vendor. Please ensure that you indicate
all products/services you are willing to provide to
the County to ensure proper notification of all appropriate
bidding/contracting opportunities.

Where
do I find bid & contract opportunities/awards?

Visit
Purchasing
& Contracting Opportunities to view the
latest open bid/ contract opportunities and awarded
information. Some bids/Request for Proposals (RFP)
may be downloaded or may be available via fax. Please
note that bid specifications and RFP attachments are
not available on-line. You may also inquire at
http://osb.lacounty.gov
for additional bids/RFPs.

If
I’m not a registered supplier, can I still submit
bids/proposals to the County of Los Angeles?

Yes.
However, it is in your best interest to register your
business through the County’s vendor registration
process at http://camisvr.co.la.ca.us/webven
to ensure you receive appropriate notices of bidding/contracting
opportunities.

What
should I expect at the pre-bid/pre-proposal meeting?

The
pre-bid/pre-proposal meeting is used to discuss the
specifications/statement of work and bid/proposal
requirements for a specific bid/Request for Proposal.
It also affords the suppliers an opportunity to ask
questions that seek clarification. The County will
typically respond to all questions in writing and
will provide such clarification to all suppliers who
received the bid/RFP. Not all bids/Request for Proposals
have a pre-bid/pre-proposal meeting and attendance
is not mandatory, unless specified. Mandatory meetings
may be required when it is critical to conduct a walk-thru
of facilities where work is to be provided.

How
do I get paid?

The
County policy is to pay vendor invoices within thirty
(30) days of receipt of a correct and proper invoice.
Invoice must contain the purchase order number, product/service
description, quantity received, unit price and extended
price.

What
is a consultant?

A
consultant is any professional or technical expert
contracting with the County for the purpose of providing
opinions, preparing reports, conducting studies, and
making recommendations or providing special services.

Are
all purchases made by the Purchasing Division of the
Internal Services Division?

No,
the procurement function is partially decentralized.
Most County departments have delegated authority to
make purchases up to $5,000. There are a few departments
with delegated authority to make purchases up to $15,000.
Otherwise, Internal Services Division - Purchasing
Division is responsible for all other County purchases.

Does
the County buy what I sell?

The
County purchases more than $750 million worth of products
and services each year, ranging from heavy equipment
to asphalt to uniforms. We are continuously looking
for responsible vendors/contractors to supply/provide
the items/services we need. Visit What
the County Buys for more information.

How
do I make myself known to County departments, and
find out what goods and services are needed now or
in the near future?

You
may contact each County department directly, however,
we suggest you register your company at http://camisvr.co.la.ca.us/webven
to ensure proper notification of bid/contract opportunities
that are of interest to your firm. Visit Purchasing
& Contracting Opportunities to view the latest
open bid/ contract opportunities. Some bids/Request
for Proposals (RFP) may be downloaded or may be available
via fax. Please note that bid specifications and
RFP attachments are not available on-line. You
may also inquire at http://osb.lacounty.gov
for additional bids/Request for Proposals.

When
does the County require insurance coverage?

Insurance
is required when your company is awarded a bid/contract
and your employee(s) are on County property, are transporting
County clients, or are in possession of County data.
Generally, the County requires General Liability,
Auto Liability, and Workers’ Compensation insurance
on all service contracts and purchase orders that
include installation of equipment or parts. Refer
to the specific solicitation for specific insurance
program requirements. Proof of insurance must be
provided to the County before you start any work.

Are
bid and/or performance bonds required?

Bid
and performance bonds are required when it is necessary
to protect the County’s interests. All contracts
for Public Works projects require bid and performance
bonds. Large, highly complex information technology
systems contracts may also require performance bonds.
Most bids issued by the County do not require a bonding.
Refer to the specific solicitation for specific bond
requirements. Bond certificate must be provided to
the County before you start any work.

How
are the County’s emergency purchases handled?

In
a bona fide emergency, departments may take immediate
measures to purchase/acquire the required items/services,
especially when the emergency involves health and
safety, potential damage to County buildings, or interruption
of vital County services. Each department is ultimately
responsible for justifying any purchase of goods/services
acquired during these situations.

Does
the County buy recycled products?

Yes.
Whenever feasible, we prefer to use products with
recycled content and/or products that are recyclable.

Do
local vendors receive preference from the County?

Effective
October 28, 2002, the County implemented a Local Small
Business Enterprise Preference Program for local small
business who are:

Certified as a small business enterprise (SBE)
by the State of California; and

A
business having its principal office currently
located in Los Angeles County for at least the
past twelve months; and

Is
certified by the County’s Office of Affirmative
Action Compliance (OAAC).

Certified
Local SBEs are entitled to a 8% bid reduction “preference”
on applicable County contracts. You may view the detailed
eligibility and requirements online from the OSB
from this
link (Local
SBE).

Does
the County require vendors to pay prevailing wage?

Where
labor is required for public works as part of any
requirements covered by an agreement and as such is
defined by the California Labor Code, Vendor shall
pay no less than the applicable prevailing wages specified.
Copy of prevailing wage rates is available for perusal
on request.

Does
the County have a program for disadvantaged businesses?

Yes.
The Board of Supervisors established the Community
Business Enterprise (CBE) Program for minority, women,
disadvantaged, and disabled veteran-owned businesses.
The CBE Program is administered through the Office
of Affirmative Action Compliance (OAAC). OAAC certifies
only minority and/or women-owned businesses, but recognizes
disadvantaged and disabled veteran-owned businesses
for program participation purposes. The CBE Program
application may be downloaded at CBE Application.

How
does the County make payments?

Follow
the invoicing requirements in your purchase order
or contract for submission of complete, accurate,
and timely invoices. This will ensure more timely
payment by the County. The County issues payment
to vendors/contractors approximately thirty (30) days
after acceptance of the merchandise/service and, receipt
of the complete and accurate original invoice, whichever
is later. To expedite payment, indicate purchase
order/contract number on all invoices, shipping tags,
and other correspondence relevant to the order/deliverable.

When
are change orders allowed?

The
change order process for purchase orders and contracts
are specific to each individual document. All change
notices and amendments must be in writing. All change
notices and amendments must be approved by an authorized
agent of the County of Los Angeles.

Disclaimer:
The guidelines presented here have been prepared and
provided to you, the vendor/contractor, for information
purposes only. These guidelines do not supplant the
laws, regulations, and procedures governing procurement
and contracting by the County of Los Angeles. In the
event of changes in those laws, regulations, and procedures,
such laws, regulations, and procedures are binding and
take precedence.